CIA (S1, Ep 10" Rare Earth"

The tenth episode of CIA, “Rare Earth,” kicks off with what looks like a routine hit-and-run in Washington, D.C., and quickly escalates into a gripping geopolitical thriller. Anchored by intense performances from Tom Ellis and Aaron Stanford, the hour underscores that some of the most dangerous resources in the world aren’t oil or gold, but the rare-earth minerals hidden in the shadows of the Fusion Cell. Here's my recap and review. 

A Honduran diplomat named Padilla is killed by a garbage truck shortly after a clandestine meeting. At first glance, it appears to be a tragic accident. But when Colin discovers neodymium samples on Padilla, a rare-earth mineral essential to the global tech industry, the team realizes something much bigger is at play. The so-called accident is exposed as a carefully staged hit: the garbage truck driver was paid $2,000 to hand over his vehicle to an assassin for a few hours.

From there, the investigation widens into a global story. A newly discovered neodymium deposit in an unexplored region of Honduras threatens China’s dominant 70% control of the rare-earth market. The implications are massive, and the episode leans into this tension, tying street-level violence to international economic warfare. The trail leads the team to a woman tied to a powerful cartel who had been negotiating with Padilla. That connection ultimately points them toward Robert Davis (Aaron Stanford), an NSA agent being blackmailed into cooperation after the cartel kidnaps his family.

While the external stakes are rising, the internal dynamics of the Fusion Cell continue to evolve. Bill and Colin decide to work “the FBI way,” relying on classic police work to bridge their clashing styles. Bill shows real growth here. Once the by-the-book agent, he proves he can adapt to Colin’s morally gray tactics, even using emotional manipulation to crack a high-pressure interrogation. It’s a smart bit of character work that feels earned rather than forced.

Meanwhile, the season-long mole hunt hits a fever pitch. Colin reveals his suspicion that the private firm Pyramid Security is behind both the Fusion Cell security breach and the death of his former associate, Toni. The danger feels closer than ever when Gina discovers that someone used her station to search for a location in Montana, strongly suggesting the traitor is operating from inside their own headquarters. As the season barrels toward its finale, Colin and Bill are left questioning how much they can really trust their own team, or even their boss, Nikki Reynard.

“Rare Earth” stands out as a well-paced, tightly constructed episode that smartly connects a single D.C. “accident” to global economic tension. The chemistry between Nick Gehlfuss and Tom Ellis remains the show’s standout element, and watching their methodologies slowly rub off on each other is one of the season’s quiet pleasures. The rare-earth angle adds a grounded, realistic layer that helps CIA carve out its own identity in a crowded field of crime and espionage dramas.

The late-episode reveal involving Gina and Montana lands as a genuine gasp moment, raising the stakes for the upcoming finale. At the same time, seeing Goodman gradually accept that the world isn’t always black and white makes his character arc particularly satisfying.

Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

What did you think of this week's episode of CIA? DO you think Nikki has something to hide? Did you think that Gina might be the mole in the CIA? Leave a comment.

You can catch CIA Mondays at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.